Gary Howard Farmer

July 19, 1966 - March 12, 2023

We are incredibly heartbroken to announce the passing of Gary Howard Farmer of Elmsford, New York, who died unexpectedly on March 12, 2023, He was 56 years old. Gary passed away following a sudden and tragic medical emergency after the Crusaders Basketball Team of Archbishop Stepinac High School reached a tremendous championship victory.

Gary was born on July 19, 1966 at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, New York to parents Riley S. and Constance A. Farmer. He grew up in Elmsford, New York with his six older siblings, younger brother and many cousins who visited his home often. Gary was incredibly close to his family, both immediate and extended, and loved saying that his cousins were his first friends. One cousin spent so much time at his house that he thought she was his sister.

Gary attended Alexander Hamilton High School (Class of 1985), where he was a celebrated football and basketball player, known for being competitive, friendly, clowning around, loving hip hop, and being hard working, even then. During high school, Gary also expressed an interest in entrepreneurship by selling candy to classmates and being sure to save all of his earnings; recognizing the power of frugality and sensible spending. Even as a kid, he did not play around with his money, and everyone knew that! As a young adult, Gary went on to work for the Greenburgh Police Department, where he proudly served as a police officer for almost twenty years before retiring.Gary’s early childhood desire to work for himself led to his choice of studying organizational management at Manhattan College (Class of 2012). Around this time, Gary also chose to dedicate his newly retired life to empowering the youth.

Gary aka Gfarm loved working with young people. Whether he was coaching the hard-working players on the Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders’ football team or helping students of various abilities to feel safe, seen, and heard, Coach Farmer stopped at nothing to make sure these young people could reach their highest potential. His work ethic and dedication played out in other areas of his life.

This determination extended into keeping his father’s legacy alive. Yes! Gary continued RSF Maintenance, named after the late Riley Stafford Farmer II; and rain or shine, whether he had just come off of a hard day’s work or not, if Gary needed to do work for RSF Maintenance, it was done. He instilled this mentality into his only son, John, who helped his Dad with the cleaning and maintenance business. And just like some of his other siblings had done for their father, Gary and John worked diligently to keep the family business thriving. The thickness of blood and the strength of a family was not just a trivial ideal to Gary; it was a lifestyle that he was dedicated to upholding no matter what.

If you were to ask 10 people who knew Gary to describe him, you would get such a wide array of honorable words because Gary was a person whom so many people looked up to. He was hardworking, loyal, and funny. If you had the privilege of working alongside him, you knew that he had your back, would pull his own weight, and then some, and would make you laugh along the way. Gary was strong willed and supportive. He was passionate about his beliefs, and wasn’t afraid to tell you about them. Even if you disagreed, he made sure you still felt supported and comfortable enough to share your views as well. Gary was inspiring, caring, and full of so much love. He was always willing to be a listening ear, gave sound advice, and was an integral part to the lives of many family members, often opening his home for them to live. He truly had an endless amount of tenderness to give out to family, friends, students, student athletes, coworkers, and even strangers he was meeting for the first time during one of his many excursions.

Gary loved to travel and explore. Whether he was visiting a beautiful island like the Dominican Republic, or spontaneously driving to Philly for the famous cheesesteak, he had no problem getting up and going. When things were heavy on his mind, he enjoyed taking long drives and sitting by the water for some peace. If you were friends with Gary on social media then you knew that he loved to play golf, smoke a classic cigar, and have a nice drink after a long day. He loved his mom’s chili, was a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys, and secretly enjoyed chai tea lattes with oat milk. Gary had a love for many aspects of his well-lived life, but there was nothing he loved more than spending time with his son John.

Gary, referred to as “Turtle,” by John, was so proud to be a father. He couldn’t wait to call up his family and friends to share what John was accomplishing in the classroom or on the football field. No matter how big the achievement, Gary was beaming because he was watching John grow into the man he always dreamt John would be. Gary wanted the best life for his son and made sure he taught him to set values and principles in life. He wanted to instill in John the life his Dad had instilled in him: to always work hard, set goals, and stop at nothing while striving to reach them. Gary was also blessed to have a strong relationship with John’s sister, Jaranea’, whom Gary considered a bonus daughter. Watching Jaranea’ grow into an incredible mother to his bonus granddaughter, Chase, also made Gary smile from ear to ear. And that smile was one that none of us could ever forget. The Gary aka “Gabs” smile sure could light up a room.

Gary led by example, and it was so easy to fall in line when he was around because he was a person that inspired people to just do good and be good.

Gary believed in the power that young people hold and wanted nothing more than to see them shine, win or lose. On Sunday, he was able to see the Crusaders reach a hard-earned victory. To know how passionate he was about the athletes at Stepinac, we can all assume that while his heart may not have been able to survive, it was most certainly full after seeing what those young people were able to accomplish. Gary truly left his mark on all with whom he crossed paths. Whether you knew him from his time as a Greenburgh Police Officer, through RSF Maintenance, as one of the little brothers of 133 Sears Ave, as a coach for Archbishop Stepinac, security for Mamaroneck or Ossining High Schools, or as a beloved family member or friend, there is no denying that your life has been forever changed because Gary H. Farmer was a part of it.

Gary is survived by his mother, Constance “Connie” A. Farmer, his son, John Riley Farmer, his siblings, Brendajoy Griffin, Fonda Kitt Muhammad (Salahuddin), Brian Farmer, Sean Farmer, Erika Carroll (Carlos); best friend and mother of John, Valerie Williams, bonus daughter Jaranea’ Blackwood, bonus granddaughter Chase Blackwood, many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, students, and dear friends to whom Gary was an inspiration.

Gary is predeceased by his father Riley Stafford Farmer II. He is also predeceased by Riley Stafford Farmer (grandfather), Inez “Bonnie” Parrish (grandmother), Dorothy Hedley (grandmother), Charles Saunders (grandfather), Robyne P. “Juicy” Farmer (sister), Stafford Farmer aka Hanif Abdur Rahman (brother), and Riley Stafford Farmer III (brother). He is also predeceased by many other family members whom we pray are at peace.

Gary H. Farmer will be severely missed and eternally loved. Gary’s funeral will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Christ Temple Church (25 Oak Street White Plains, NY 10603). There will be a viewing of the body from 10:00am-11:00 am. The Funeral Service will begin at 11:15am. He will be buried immediately after at Ferncliff Cemetery 280 Secor Road Hartsdale, NY 10530 where his father Riley S. Farmer II & Uncle Howard are laid to rest. The family will gather for a repast at Theodore D. Young Community Center located at 32 Manhattan Avenue White Plains, NY 10607. 

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